Making plans

[Eddie Offermann]

Drawing up the cockpit redesign.

I'd mused on it before and have since mused extensively, measuring and remeasuring and laying down, pretending it's already there, imagining the repositioning and enlarging of storage, visualizing where the support structures need to be inside, figuring where the hatches should be... Basically, joining the side benches in the cockpit all the way back to the Cleopatra, making them slightly deeper (and trapezoidal - tapering towards the front).

My cockpit grid has a raised 'step' aft - I'm not sure if it's original or came along later but it will need to be replaced. It's seen better days regardless, so SoNice will benefit from getting a new one. The raised step is too far back to be of much help while steering and I'm going to extend that forward and maybe give it another inch of height. That'll put me up high enough to have a halfway decent view over the pilothouse for marina maneuvering.

The Cleopatra is getting two bomar hatches on the top and each of the extended side benches will get two top hatches as well. No more hatches facing the sides... I'm 6'2" and bending over peeking in those things is awkward and isn't getting easier as I get older, plus top hatches will let in more light when open.

Cabin Changes

One change planned there (other than painting) - adding a fold-out extension for the portside berth to make it an optional double bed. Basically making it a futon.